The event had drawn the ire of city residents and leaders, and both the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the National Association of Evangelicals havecondemned the event. NAE Director of Government Affairs Galen Cary told The Florida Independent that Dove World’s actions were “not in keeping with Christian values.”

According to the Sun, Dove World plans to go ahead with the event, permit or not, and could face a fine for doing so. Gainesville Mayor Craig Lowe called the church “an embarrassment to our community” in his comments to the paper.